Bulldozer or scraper structure



July 23, 1946. H. H. WASHBOND BULLDOZER OR SGRAPER STRUCTURE Filed Feb. 22, 1944 4 Sheebs-Sheet 1 1946- H. H. WASHBOND 2,404,759

BULLDOZER OR SCRAPER S'I'RUCTURE Filed Feb. 22, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 23, 1946. H. H. WASHBOND BULLDOZER OR SGRAPER STRUCTURE Filed Feb. 22, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 ME U hflflhshbond/ W V 5 Harr y 3, 1946. H. H. WASHBOND 2,404,759

BULLDOZER OR SCRAPER STRUCTURE Patented July 23, 1946 v UNITED STATE 2,404,759 BULLDOZER on SCRAPER STRUCTURE Harry H. Washbond, Springfield, 111., assignor to The Baker Manufacturing Company," Springfield, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application February 22, 1944, Serial No. 523,464

17 claims. (01. 37-144) This invention relatesto a bulldozer or scraperstructure adapted for attachmenttoand control from a power vehicle such as a tractor.

i An important object ofthe invention is to produce a bulldozer or scraper whose operating. parts are supported on the front end of a power vehicle in front of the drivers cab so that the driver may readily observe the operation.

Another object isto provide an arrangement in which the support for the blade element of the bulldozer or scraper embodies a pair of linkage quadrilaterals of which the blade element constitutes. the front link.

A further object is to provide an arrangement in which hydraulic ram structure mounted on the vehicle is connected to directly apply power to the lower links of the linkages for operation of said linkages to set said blade element to various operating positions in a substantially vertical direction.

Another object is to provide an arrangement in which the lower links of the linkages are hinged to the vehicle body and. a single hydraulic cylinder-piston structure functions to directly swing the lower links for setting of the scraper structure.

Other and further objects of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the annexed sheets of drawings which disclose the preferred embodiments of the invention.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a power vehicle with the bulldozer or scraper structure thereon; Figure 2 is a plan view;

, Figure 3 is an enlarged section on plane III- III Figure 2; and

Figure 4 is a section on plane IV--IV Figure 3.

The power vehicle to which I have shown my improved bulldozer or scraper assembly applied is a tractor of the type in which the driving engine is at the rear of the vehicle body and the drivers cab is at the front. Briefly describing the tractor, it comprises the frame or body I!) at the rear of which is mounted the' engine frame I I and at the front of which is located the drivers cab [2 having a seat l3 therein. A rear axle housing l4 supports the track frames l5, and transmission means (not shown) within the axle housing is driven by the engine for drive of the shaft structure it which carries the driving sprockets l1. Forwardly of the rear axle housing, a cross support l8 extends from the vehicle body to the track frames l5, and on the forward ends of the track frames are mounted'the idler wheels et wheels and idler wheels at opposite sides of the vehicle." Track rollers 2| on the track frame engage with the lower runs of the tracks.

Secured toand extending forwardly from the vehicle body ID at opposite sides thereof are the beams 22 and 23 which at their forward ends are spanned by a cross beam 24 secured against the undersides thereof; This beam structure serves as a support for the bulldozer or scraper assembly.

The blade element of the bulldozer comprises the transversely curved blade 25 reinforced by ribs 26 secured to its rear side, a knifeedgell forming the lower portion of the blade. This blade element constitutes the front link of two quadrilateral linkageassemblies 28 and 29. The linkages are alike and each comprises'an upper link 30, a lower link 3|, and an' inner link 32, the; blade element 25 forming a common outer link for the link assemblies. At their front ends the upper and lowerlinks 30 and 3| are hinged to the blade element 25by pins 33 and 34. At their rear ends, the upper links 30 are pivoted to the upper ends of the inner links 32 by pins 35. At their lower ends the inner links 32 are pivoted to brackets 36 secured on the lower links 3|. The lower links "extend rearwardly beyond their connections with the inner links 32 tabs fulcrumed on brackets3'l' secured to the beams 22 and 23. Brace bars 38 extend betweenthe lowerlinks 3| and the ends of the blade'element 25 tostiffen the blade element and form additional support therefor. As shown on Figures 1 and 4, the pins 34 which extend through theinner ribs 26 on the blade 25 are extended laterally outwardly through outer ribs 26' to receive the front ends of the brace bars 38 to hinge connect them with the blade element.

On the forward ends of the beams 22, 23, brackets 39 are secured, links 40 being pivoted to the brackets as indicated at M and attheir rear ends are pivoted'to the corresponding inner links 32 as indicated at42. These links 40 hold the links of the linkage quadrilaterals in relative position for the .desired' tilt or rake ofthe blade element from the perpendicular.

Extending upwardly-from each of the lower links forwardly of the connection of the link with the corresponding 43, these arms being connected at their upper endsby across beam 44. The beam 24 connecting the forward ends of the beams 22 and 23 has upstanding cars 45. A cylinder 46 has 9. lug

41 depending from its lower end between the [9, endlesstracks 20 engaging the sprockinner link 32-is an arm 7 J ears 45 to be hinged thereto by a pin 48. The herein otherwise than necessitated by the prior piston rod 49 extending upwardly from the pisart.

ton 50 in the cylinder is connected by a pin I claim as follows:

with the arm 52 extending down from the cross 1. In a machine of the character described inbar 44 midway between the arms 43. Hydraulic 5 eluding a vehicle body and propulsion means fluid conductors 53 and 54 extend from the lower therefor, a bulldozer attachment for the front and upper ends of the cylinder to a valve struc- 0f the vehicle comprising a blade element, a supture V for which a suitable control C is provided port for said blade embodying a pair of linkage for operation by the driver in the cab. From quadrilaterals of which said blade element cona pumpPhydraulic fluid is delivered under presstitutes the outer link, the lower links of said sure through a conductor 55 to the valve struc linkage quadrilaterals being hinged at their rear ture for flow to either end of the cylinder by the i ends to the vehicle'body to constitute push bars setting of the valve V by the control C. v The for the blade element, hydraulic power means fluid is fed to pump P from reservoir-R through connected with said linkage quadrilaterals for conductor 55a. The rake movement of the blade operation therefor for setting of said blade eleis automatically effected by operation of the same ment in vertical direction, and guide links behydraulic jack causing raising and lowering of, ,tween said-linkage quadrilaterals and the vehicle the blade and occurs simultaneously with said. body for determining the rake of the blade eleraising and lowering. ment during vertical movement thereof.

On Figure 3, the full-lines show the scraper 2. In combination with a tractor comprising struc me in an intermediate position. If it is a body and'propulsionmeans therefor, a bulldesired to lower the scraper structure, the valve dozer comprising a blade element, push links V is set by the control C for flow of hydraulic hinged at their rear ends to the vehicle body and fluid through-the conductor 54 into the top'of extending forwardly therefrom for connection the cylinder for inward movement of the piston, with the lower portion of said blade element, arms and this movement is transmitted by the cross rigidly connectedwith saidpush links inter bar 42 and the arms 43 tothe lower links 3|. mediate their ends and extending upwardly The lowered position is indicated by the long dot therefrom, hydraulic ram means operatively lines on Figure 3. If it is desired to raise the connected between the vehicle and said arms, scraper structure, the control C is set for flow and a linkage assembly including link pairs'coninto the lower end of the cylinder for outward nected with said push links and saidblade elemovement of the piston, the short dot lines on ment and other links extending from said link Figure 3 showing the raised position of the pairs to the vehicle body operativeto'maintain structure.

When the vehicle'is driven'forvvardly for opplane durm r i in or l w rin f a eration of the scraper structure, the lower links hydraulic means. 3| will function as push beams for engagement 3. In combination with a tractor comprising a of the knif nd 21 of the blad strqcture wi th" I body and propulsion means therefor, a bulldozer the terrain which isto be scraped' or operated at the frontof said body comprising a blade eleupon. The upper and inner links 30, 32 and the 40 ment, lower links forming push bars hinged at ,intermediate links 40 will then function to hold their rear ends to the vehicle body and conthe upper portion of the blade element'to mainnected at their forward ends with the lowerporthat the blade is held in'vertical position throughfor efi'ectin vertical swin sa d links'for s tblade. For example, the links can be arranged at their l w r ends bein pivo d to d pu above the groundline and then tilt the upper of said blade element to maintain a predeterend of thebl de forwardly abeut15 With th mined rake of said blade element from the perpower without loss of motion. With the scraper body and comprising a blade element, push bars cross bar forming a rigid unitary structure, vehicle b y nn d w sai sh rs f both thepush links and the setting'of the'scraper, said push bars and the upper po tion i said i and the cost of manufacture of the scraper struc H blade m n and guide links between the ve ture and its control is correspondingly reduced. hicl bo y nd said linkage assemblies, said I am aware thatmany changes maybe made linkage assemblies" functioning to maintain a and numerous details of construction may be predetermined rake ofthe blade element. varied through a wide range without departing 5. In combination with a power vehicle comfrom the principles of this invention, and I thereprisin a body and propulsion ans t refor, '81 fore do not purpose limiting the patent granted bulldozer structure located in front ofthe'vehicle body and comprising a blade element, push bars at opposite sides of thevehicle body hinged at their rear ends thereto and extending forwardly therefrom for hinge connection with the lower portion of said blade element, power means on the vehicle connected with said push bars for effecting vertical swing thereof, a linkage assembly connecting the upper portion of said blade element with said push bars, and guide links between said linkage assembly and the vehicle body for determining the rake of the blade element when moved vertically with said push bars.

6. A front end implement blade mounting for a tractor comprising push beams for pivotal mounting at their rear ends on a tractor, an implement blade having the bottom portion thereof pivoted to the front ends of the push beams, arms pivoted to the top portion of the blade, first links .pivotally connecting said arms with said push beams, second links pivotally connected to said first links for connecting the first links to the tractor to hold the implement blade in vertical position, and means acting on said push beams to raise and lower the implement blade.

'7. In a machine of the character described including a vehicle body and propulsion means therefor, a bulldozer attachment for the front end of the vehicle comprising a blade element, a support for said blade embodying a pair of linkage quadrilaterals of which said blade element constitutes the outer link, the lower links of said linkage quadrilaterals being hinged at their rear ends to the vehicle body to constitute push bars for the blade element, power means connected with said quadrilaterals for positively raising and lowering the blade element, and guide links between said quadrilaterals and the vehicle body for causing said quadrilaterals to maintain a predetermined rake of the blade element.

8. An implement blade attachment for tractors and the like comprising a blade, push beams pivoted to the lower portion of the blade, first links pivoted to the upper portion of the blade, second links pivotally connecting said first links and said push beams, and means on the tractor pivoted to said second links for holding the blade in substantially the same vertical plane throughout its scraping range but effective to rapidly tilt the upper portion of the blade forwardly when the blade is raised above its scraping range.

9. In combination with a tractor, an implement blade extending across the front of the tractor, push beams pivotally connected to the lower portion of the implement blade and to the tractor, first links pivotally connected to the upper portion of the blade and extending rearwardly therefrom, second links pivoted to the rear ends of the first links and to the push beams intermediate the ends of the push beams, hydraulic means interposed between the tractor and push beams to raise and lower the implement blade relative to the tractor, and means on the tractor acting on said second links to hold the blade in a substantially vertical plane from a lower level of about twelve inches below the ground line of the tractor to an upper level of about twelve inches above the ground line of the tractor and then being effective to tilt the upper end of the blade forwardly about 15 as the blade is raised more than twelve inches above the ground line of the tractor.

10. In combination with a tractor, a bulldozer structure located in front of said tractor and comprising a blade element, push beams at opposite sides of the tractor hinged at their rear 6 ends to said tractor and at their front ends hinged to the lower portion of said blade element, arms extending upwardly from said push beams, a cross bar connecting the upper ends of said arms, bydraulic power means on the tractor directly connected with said cross bar to act through said arms for swinging the push beams to control the operation setting of said blade element, a link age assembly between said push beams and blade element, and a guide link between the linkage wsembly and tractor to control the rake of the blade element as it is raised and lowered relative to the tractor.

11. In combination with a tractor comprising a body and propulsion means therefor, a bulldozer structure located in front of the tractor body comprising a blade element, push beams hinged at their rear ends to the body and extending forwardly therefrom, brace beams .extending diagonally from the push beams near the forward ends thereof, a common hinge pin for connecting the outer end of each push beam and the outer end of the corresponding brace beam to the blade element whereby said blade element has hinge connection with said push beams, power means on said tractor connected with said push beams for effecting vertical swing thereof, a linkage assembly between said push beams and blade element, and a guide link on the tractor body connected to the linkage assembly for controlling the rake of the blade as it is raised and lowered relative to the vehicle.

12. In combination with a vehicle, push beams pivoted on the vehicle, an implement blade pivoted on said push beams, means for raising and lowering said blade, a link connected to the blade, a fulcrum for said link, and means responsive to raising and lowering of the blade for shifting said fulcrum relative to the push beams to control the rake of the blade.

13. In combination with a front end cab type tractor, short push beams pivoted on the front end of the tractor, a blade having its lower portion pivoted on the front ends of the push beams, means for raising and lowering said blade, linkage means pivoted to the upper portion of said blade and to said push beams, and guide link means pivotally connecting the linkage means and tractor for swinging the blade relative to the push beams as the blade is raised and lowered for controlling the rake of the blade.

14. In combination with a tractor, a bulldozer or scraper structure having push beams pivoted on the tractor, a blade element pivoted on the front ends of the push beams, power means for raising and lowering said push beams and blade element, a link assembly connected to the blade and a push beam, and a guide link between the tractor and said link assembly for maintaining a relatively vertical position of the blade element through a normal scraping range above and below the tractor ground line and for tilting said blade element forward at a predetermined rate between scraping range and raised position to shed dirt.

15. In combination with a tractor, push beams pivoted on the tractor, a scraping blade pivoted on the push beams, means for raising and lowering said push beams and blade, a link connected to the blade, a fulcrum for said link, and means responsive to raising and lowering movements of the blade for shifting said fulcrum relative to the push beams to maintain a substantially vertical position for the blade in the scraping range 7 thereof and to tilt the blade forward to shed dirt above said scraping range of the blade.

16. In combination with a vehicle, an implement blade extending across the front of the vehicle, push beams pivoted on the vehicle for raising and lowering movements, means connecting the push beams together for cross-stabilizing the beams to compel co-movement of the beams, pivots connecting the lower portion of the blade and the push beams, said pivots swingably mounting the blade for forward and rearward tilting movements, means for raising and lowering the blade relative to the vehicle, a link connected to the blade, a fulcrum for said link, and means responsive to raising and lowering of the blade for shifting said fulcrum relative to the push beams to control the rake of the blade.

17. In combination with a vehicle, an implement blade extending across theiront of the vehicle, push beams pivoted onthe vehicle for raising and lowering movements, means connecting said push beams together for cross stabilizing the beams to compel co-movement of the beams, pivots connecting the lower portion of the blade and push beams, said pivots swingably mounting the blade for forward and rearwardward tilting movements, means for raising and lowering the blade relative to the vehicle,- a link connected to the upper portion of the blade, a fulcrum for the link, and. means responsive to raising and lowering of the blade for shifting said fulcrum relative to the push beams to control the rake of the blade to maintain a substantially upright scraping position as the blade is raised and lowered through a normal scraping range above and below the ground line of the vehicle and to tilt the blade forwardly for shedding dirt as the blade is raised above the n orv mal scraping range. V HARRY H. WASHBOND. 

